Careers and Graduate Study

The Architectural Design curriculum prepares students for advanced studies in architecture and construction management, and the program's strong math and science requirements prepare students well for graduate work in other fields, such as civil and environmental engineering, law, and business. The major provides a background for individuals wanting to explore a diversity of careers in architecture, engineering, construction, and structures. Completion of the undergraduate program in Architectural Design leads to the conferral of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering. The subplan "Architectural Design" appears on the transcript and on the diploma. This major is not an ABET-accredited engineering degree, nor is it designed to lead directly to professional licensure in architecture or engineering. To become a professional architect or engineer, additional graduate training and practical experience may be required.

Mission of the Undergraduate Subplan in Atmosphere/Energy

The Atmosphere/Energy subplan combines atmospheric and energy sciences with engineering to prepare students to understand and mitigate atmospheric problems through optimal use of natural energy resources, energy efficiency, and energy technologies.

The Atmosphere/Energy subplan bridges a gap within the disciplines of civil and environmental engineering. Atmosphere and energy are strongly linked: fossil-fuel energy use contributes to air pollution, global warming, and weather modification; and changes in the atmosphere are fed back to affect renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and wave resources. The study of atmosphere and energy in this subplan prepares students to find the best ways to mitigate atmospheric problems, such as global warming and air pollution, by optimizing the use of natural energy resources, increasing the efficiency with which energy is used‚ and understanding the effects of energy technologies on the atmosphere.

Mission of the Undergraduate Subplan in Biomedical Computation

Quantitative and computational methods are central to advancing biology and medicine in the 21st century. These methods span analyzing biomedical data, constructing computational models for biological systems, and designing computer systems that help biologists and physicians create and administer treatments to patients. The Biomedical Computation subplan prepares students to work at the cutting edge of this interface between computer science, biology, and medicine. Students begin their journey by acquiring foundational knowledge of biological and computational disciplines. They learn techniques in informatics and simulation and their numerous applications in understanding and analyzing biology at all levels, from individual molecules in cells to entire organs, organisms, and populations. Students then focus on a depth area of their choosing and participate in a substantial research project with a Stanford faculty member. Upon graduation, students are prepared to enter a range of disciplines in either academia or industry.

Mission of the Undergraduate Subplan in Biomechanical Engineering

The undergraduate subplan in Biomechanical Engineering aims to help students address health science challenges by applying engineering mechanics and design to the fields of biology and medicine. The subplan is interdisciplinary, integrating engineering coursework with biology and clinical medicine. Research and teaching in this discipline focus primarily on neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and cell and tissue biomechanics. This subplan prepares students for graduate studies in bioengineering, biomechanics, medicine, or related areas.

Mission of the Undergraduate Subplan in Engineering Physics

The undergraduate subplan in Engineering Physics aims to provide students with a strong foundation in physics and mathematics, together with engineering and problem-solving skills. All students in this subplan take high-level math and physics courses as well as engineering courses. This background prepares them to tackle complex problems in multidisciplinary areas that are at the forefront of 21st-century technology, such as aerospace physics, biophysics, computational science, quantum science & engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, electromechanical systems, renewable energy, and any other engineering field that requires a solid background in physics. Because the subplan emphasizes science, mathematics, and engineering, students are well prepared to pursue graduate work in engineering, physics, or applied physics.

Mission of the Undergraduate Subplan in Sustainable Architecture and Engineering

The mission of the undergraduate Sustainable Architecture and Engineering aims to develop students’ ability to integrate engineering and architecture in ways that blend innovative architectural design with cutting-edge engineering technologies. Courses in the subplan combine hands-on architectural design studios with a wide variety of other courses. Students can choose from a broad mix of elective courses concerning energy conservation, sustainability, building systems, and structures, as well as design foundation and fine arts courses. In addition to preparing students for advanced studies in architecture and construction management, the subplan's math and science requirements prepare students well for graduate work in other fields, such as civil and environmental engineering, law, and business.

Mission of the Undergraduate Subplan in Architectural Design

The Architectural Design subplan is only available to students who elected into the subplan prior to Autumn 2023. Other students, see the “Sustainable Architecture and Engineering" subplan.

Preparing for the ENGR-BS

In engineering, students must balance taking advantage of Stanford’s freedom to explore and ensuring they get a reasonable start on an engineering curriculum. Technical courses tend to be cumulative because more advanced courses draw heavily on the material presented in the introductory courses that precede them. For first-year students thinking about getting started in engineering or other STEM majors, the School of Engineering has a simple online tool called the Roadmap which suggests which courses might be appropriate to take in the first year. In addition, the one-unit autumn course, ENGR 1 Want to Be an Engineer?, offers broad exposure to STEM majors within and outside the School of Engineering. Faculty present an overview of their program and where the study of that topic might take you. Other courses that might be of interest are the IntroSems and Engineering Fundamentals.

Students interested in pursuing an Engineering Physics major should plan to take math and physics courses in the first year. Take the Physics and Math Placement Diagnostics to get advice on where to start in the sequences, and then see the sample plans for beginning the Engineering Physics (or Physics) major. Although no required, PHYSICS 59 (Frontiers in Physics Research, 1 unit) is recommended. Contact Patricia Burchat (Professor in Physics, burchat@stanford.edu) or Mark Cappelli (Professor in Mechanical Engineering, cap@stanford.edu) for pre-major advising.

Sample 4-Year plans and detailed descriptions of the requirements for all these majors can be found on the  Engineering Undergraduate Handbook website.